Caraval Review

Caraval

By Stephanie Garber

I received a free copy of Caraval in exchange for my honest opinion.

Whatever you’ve heard about Caraval, it doesn’t compare to the reality. It’s more than just a game or a performance. It’s the closest you’ll ever find to magic in this world . . .

Welcome, welcome to Caraval―Stephanie Garber’s sweeping tale of two sisters who escape their ruthless father when they enter the dangerous intrigue of a legendary game.

Scarlett has never left the tiny island where she and her beloved sister, Tella, live with their powerful, and cruel, father. Now Scarlett’s father has arranged a marriage for her, and Scarlett thinks her dreams of seeing Caraval, the far-away, once-a-year performance where the audience participates in the show, are over.

But this year, Scarlett’s long-dreamt of invitation finally arrives. With the help of a mysterious sailor, Tella whisks Scarlett away to the show. Only, as soon as they arrive, Tella is kidnapped by Caraval’s mastermind organizer, Legend. It turns out that this season’s Caraval revolves around Tella, and whoever finds her first is the winner.

Scarlett has been told that everything that happens during Caraval is only an elaborate performance. But she nevertheless becomes enmeshed in a game of love, heartbreak, and magic with the other players in the game. And whether Caraval is real or not, she must find Tella before the five nights of the game are over, a dangerous domino effect of consequences is set off, and her sister disappears forever.

Summary from Goodreads.

I am glad that I waited a few days to review Caraval, as it has made me not get up in all the hype that occurs whenever I read a book. Coming straight out of it, I would have said that it was a great, memorable read; but now I am struggling to remember what happened.

The premise of Caraval is a young girl (her actually age is never stated, but I believe that she is 16) who’s wish is to go to this Caraval. She does not really know what Caraval is, only hearing rumours and not entirely true anecdotes of time spent their. Even now, after having read the entire book, I am still struggling to understand what Caraval was exactly.

I am also kind-of disappointed that this is being made into a duology, the premise of Caraval did not need to be spread out over another 500-odd page novel. Especially since it does not seem like it will be anything like Caraval with the way that it ended.

If you love YA, then Caraval has just the right mix of everything to make you fall in love with it. If YA is not your cuppa tea, then the mystery element probably won’t be enough to keep hold of you.

3/5

Have you read Caraval? Do you agree with my review? Let me know your opinion in the comments below!

Check it out on Goodreads here.

Purchase it on Amazon here.

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